Several different types of birth injuries can affect newborn babies. One of the common ones is spinal cord injury. This is often caused by excessive rotation of the spinal cord and twisting of the baby’s trunk during delivery. It is also common during a vacuum delivery or through the misuse of implements such as forceps. If your child has suffered a spinal cord injury during delivery, it could be the fault of medical negligence. If this is the case, you will need to contact a birth injury lawyer in Knoxville to help you pursue legal action. Depending on the severity of the birth injury, your child may face long-term difficulties, and securing compensation can help cover the cost of any ongoing care they might need.

Spotting the Signs of Spinal Cord Injury

It is not always immediately apparent that this type of injury has happened. You will need to seek a physical examination from a doctor who can determine the difference between a congenital malformation and a birth injury. Let’s take a look at some of the signs and symptoms that might indicate that a spinal cord-related birth injury has occurred.

  • Seizures are something that is quite often present following a traumatic spinal cord injury.
  • Difficulty when suckling, eating, or swallowing can indicate a spinal cord injury in a specific area (the C2/3 and C3/4) which causes a condition known as Dysphagia.
  • High-pitched crying and fussiness for no apparent reason is one symptom that may be easily ignored. Babies cry, right? However, if all needs have been met and there is no other reason for an infant to cry, it could be a sign of an illness or injury. It is always better to get your child checked out, just in case.
  • Fetal Bradycardia can trigger low heart rate or oxygen levels if a spinal cord injury occurs during birth.
  • Light sensitivity is a symptom you might not necessarily associate with a spinal cord injury, but it can strongly indicate a missed birth injury.
  • Excessive sleepiness and fatigue are other symptoms to be vigilant of as they can suggest a spinal cord injury.
  • Weakness, paralysis, or the absence of reflexes are among the most significant signs of a spinal cord injury that will start having parents consider talking to a birth injury lawyer in Knoxville.
  • Muscle stiffness or loose limbs could indicate that your baby has Hypertonia as a result of a spinal cord injury. The severity of the symptoms will depend on the location of the injury on the spinal cord.

What Happens After Diagnosis

Once your child has been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury, there is a risk that they could also experience neurodevelopmental impairment. Your child will need to be closely monitored by the right healthcare professionals. This may include a pediatrician, occupational therapist, specialist nurses, and physical therapists. This ongoing need for specialist medical care comes at a cost, and many parents struggle to shoulder this unexpected financial burden. That’s where a birth injury lawyer in Knoxville becomes the most valuable tool in your arsenal. This is a stressful time, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Your birth injury lawyer in Knoxville will take charge of the legal side of things, leaving you free to focus on caring for your baby.

Supporting Your Birth Injury Case

The American Academy of Pediatrics states that most birth injuries are avoidable when healthcare providers have identified the risks and taken appropriate steps to avoid potential injuries. When that doesn’t happen, a birth injury lawyer in Knoxville can help you to pursue a medical negligence lawsuit. This isn’t as straightforward as it may sound since your birth injury lawyer will need to prove that negligence resulted in an injury that would have otherwise been preventable. If you want to secure damages for your child successfully, you must make sure that you choose an experienced birth injury lawyer in Knoxville who is well versed in this type of lawsuit.

It is important to note that a birth injury lawsuit is a civil case and is subject to the statute of limitations. You will want to contact a birth injury lawyer in Knoxville as soon as possible. In Tennessee, the statute of limitations on birth injuries is one year. This countdown starts either from the date the injury occurred or the date of discovery if the injury has been undiagnosed for some time. The sooner you begin legal proceedings, the better, so do not delay contacting an experienced birth injury lawyer.

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Butler, Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville, TN, with extensive litigation experience in Medical Malpractice Law, Birth Injury Law, Trucking Accident Law, Personal Injury Law, and Business Law. Contact us today at www.bvblaw.com or call 865-637-3531.

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